New routines for a new normal

As we settle into our new Covid19-induced lives, the penny is dropping that this is not just a few weeks of isolation followed by a return to our pre-Covid routines. It’s becoming increasingly clear that we will be living different lives for some months (maybe years) to come.

With this realization, there’s a profound sense of loss. We’ve been impacted by the cancellation of life rituals such as graduation ceremonies, summer camps for kids, vacations, outdoor concerts, large family reunions, and weddings. Accepting this new reality is a process. Once we accept it, we can start to take the long view and find ways to make the most of the situation.

In a previous post, I wrote about visioning your ideal future to generate hope and wellbeing. In this post, I want to share some thoughts on developing new routines to support your vision:

• Get clear about why you want to create the new habit or routine. This will serve as the motivation to get you going. I encourage you to take the time to reflect. Ask yourself how establishing this routine aligns with your vision, values, and purpose. A strong why is a great motivator.
• Set up your environment to support your intentions. David Neal et al observed that we repeat ~45% of our daily behaviors in the same location almost every day. Time of day and location are powerful triggers to repeat past behaviors. These habits are strong enough to keep us doing the same thing despite our intentions to change.
• Start “small and easy”.* So easy and simple that it requires almost no effort. For example, if you want to start an exercise routine, start by doing just 5 minutes every day or every other day.
• If you’re having trouble adhering to 5 minutes, check your environment and your why. If your environment is setting you up for failure or your why isn’t strong enough, this can derail your efforts.
• In my experience, it’s a myth that it takes 66, or 21, or 34 or whatever the latest quote is for the number of days it takes to form a new habit. It takes consistent effort over weeks to months.  
• Slipping up one day is normal. Plan for it and get back on track as soon as possible.
• A word about high achievers^#: high achievers tend to be self-critical when it comes to creating a new habit. They make the assumption that because they are successful in one area of life, that should automatically translate into successful behavior change in another area. This is not the case. They struggle just like everyone else.